Broadcast Pix Mica video production system brings HD to lower price point

Broadcast Pix has introduced Mica, a new family of live video production systems that provide pristine HD and leadership integration at an unprecedented price point, at IBC.

Mica includes a multi-definition switcher that can mix eight HD/SD-SDI inputs with seven channels of internal clips, animations, and graphics. There is support for up to six keyers and DVEs, six HD/SD-SDI outputs, and two DVI outputs. It also includes a 30-hour clip store and a Harris or optional Chyron character generator.

“With Mica, you pay for a switcher and get an HD control room,” says Ken Swanton, president of Broadcast Pix. “But unlike a conventional control room, Mica is so well integrated, that a solo operator can combine cameras, clips, and graphics into great live video.”

The new Mica system harnesses the native HD technology from the award-winning Broadcast Pix Granite systems in a compact, cost effective package. It also includes Broadcast Pix Fluent software that tightly integrates video and file-based content, so even a single operator can create compelling live productions.

Pricing starts at $16,900 for Mica Desktop, which is controlled through a touch screen or mouse interface. Mica 500, at $19,900, includes a control surface with a patented device control section. Mica 1000 and Mica 2000, with larger and more powerful control panels, sport patented PixButtons, which dynamically display sources and devices in the button to switch with confidence. All four Mica models are available now.

Housed in a single 4 RU case, Mica features an I/O board with a wide back panel for easy, uncluttered connectivity. Each of the eight SDI inputs has a frame synchronizer and supports 1080i, 720p, or SD sources in either 50 or 60 Hz and a Clip Store holds up to 30 hours of H.264 and ProRes clips with audio. Integration includes AutoStart, AutoRewind, Looping, AutoNext, and AutoTransition. It also include a character generator (either a Harris Inscriber TitleMotion GS or optional Chyron Lyric Pro 8, with animation creation and easy in-show editing) and device control via ViewCast streaming appliances and AJA Ki Pro recorders. Optional Device Controls include cameras (Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony, and Telemetrics), audio mixers, and servers (360 Systems, Harris, and Omneon).